Change for the better

It's my first report since the recent change of manager for Liverpool and while I don't really have that many positives to say about Roy Hodgson's style of management I feel the need to say how he retained the dignity he had by leaving by mutual consent. It would have been easy for him to stay and keep fighting against everyone but at least he retained some of his nice man image and knew when his time was up. I'm sure he will get another job at a smaller club and do a very good job there but this was one job that was above his level. He really didn't seem to grasp the enormity of being the manager of Liverpool Football Club. With the new owners doing exactly as they said they would and listening to the fans, King Kenny Dalglish was appointed the new manager.
Kenny's second coming as Liverpool manager couldn't have got off to a tougher start with the prospect of playing the league leaders away from home in the F.A cup. The first thing he did though was to pick the right team with the right players in the right positions. Another thing he did was to inject some passion in to the team and when these things combined they made a real difference to the team's performance. For the first time in a while we looked like we wanted to win and this resulted in a lot more closing down, playing the ball along the floor and chasing lost causes all of which make up a vital part of some of the worlds best teams.
What happened in the match itself tho was quite clearly out of Liverpool's control. After just 34seconds a blatant dive was given as a penalty by referee Howard Webb thanks to influence from the crowd and the Man Utd players. The goal went in but after that the Liverpool team where clearly the better side. The movement and passing seemed to make a real difference in the performance.
The next incident in the game was another controversial decision by Webb. After Meireles went in half-heatedly into a tackle with Rafael the ball was won by the Man Utd right back. Whether this was what triggered what the Liverpool captain did next is questionable as is what happened. Gerrard slid in for a 50/50 challenge with Carrick and lifted his feet off the floor. By the rules of the game these days it is easy to see how it was given as a red card and had it been the other way round I would have had no complaints but the tackle was 100% for the ball and it wasn't a late challenge but the main problem was that there have been many worse challenges this season that have been given just a yellow card and its this inconsistency that is my main problem.
Back to footballing matters and Pepe Reina kept the away side in the game after a superb string of 5 saves in almost as many seconds proving why he's still one of the best keepers in the world. I have to say that I agreed when Dalglish pulled off Torres who had looked under par all game much the same as he has done all this season, apart from a few moments where his skill showed through. As much as Torres looked poor there was a equal sized positive in the right back position. Martin Kelly was my man of the match and proved his capability against some of the best and this leaves the possibility for something that I, and many others have been calling for for a while. Glen Johnson on the right side of midfield with Kelly behind him. Especially with Gerrard out for three games now it means that Kuyt could play up front with Torres to allow this combination down the right. One thing is certain though and that is that Liverpool are going in the right direction and the improved performance is only the start of what can hopefully turn out to be a much better year.
Next up for the reds is Blackpool away on Wednesday in the game that was rearranged from boxing day.